Machine for supplying air to pneumatic relooping tools



March 6, 1951 A. A. J. SCHOU 2,544,051

MACHINE FOR SUPPLYING AIR T0 PNEUMATIC RELOOPING TOOLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1948 March 6, 1951 A. A. J. scHou 2,544,051 MACHINE FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO PNEUMATIC RELOOPING TOOLS Filed Nov. 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES hATENT ()FFICE MACHINE FOR SUPPLYING AIR TO PNEU- MATIC RELOOPING TOOLS 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatically operated machines for relooping runs in stockings and other knitted fabrics.

The invention relates more particularly, to an electrically driven relooping machine which is controlled by means of a foot operated starting rheostat and generates impulses of compressed air which are utilized to actuate the holder of the relooping tool, the flow of air being controlled in such a way that the needle is stopped instantaneously as soon as the current is cut off even though the motor continues to run.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine with mechanical arrangements whereby the needle may be stopped instantaneously, thus avoiding flaws showing in the article being relooped.

An advantage of the invention is that the above mentioned arrangement is independent of the kind of electric current supplied to the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a view of a machine showing the foot controller,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottom of a machine, the bottom cover having been removed,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, showing details of the air controlling arrangement,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a pneumaticallyoperated relooping tool.

The machine consists of a stand I having a cylindrical chamber 2, a piston 4 fixed to a connecting rod 5, and moved up and down by means of a stud or knob 6 placed on the hub of the pulley B at a point which is eccentric with respect to the shaft.

The cylindrical chamber 2 carries a fitting 3 extending outside the stand, and which may be connected by a flexible pipe 3a to the handle 3b of a relooping needle 30, said needle being operated in known manner by the air impulses generated by the air pump in the machine. A pneumatically-operated relooping needle is shown in Patent No. 2,186,603 to B. H. Gostkowski date January 9, 1940.

The machine may be started and controlled. by means of the foot controller 9', which may be connected by a Bowden wire ill to the starting rheostat lever ll.

Lever II which is pivotally mounted at [la is connected at one end to a spring l2. Secured to stand I is a strong leaf spring l3 carrying a shutter It which is aligned with the opening in a bored fitting !5 which is in communication by means of a duct It with the interior of chamber 2. The shutter Hi When pressed against fitting l5 under the action of spring [3 prevents efllux of air through the fitting. The outing end of leaf spring I3 is formed with an obliquely directed flange H which is engaged by lever I I When the current is out 01f and the lever II is retracted by spring [2.

In order to insure an instantaneous stopping of the needle as soon as the current is cut off and while the motor continues running, it is known to provide the cylindrical chamber with means to eiTect an immediate communication between the chamber and the outside air. It is known to obtain this object by means of a relay, through which the exciting current of the motor fiOWS.

As long as the current flows through the electromagnet, the relay armature will be drawn, and a shutter will close a fitting, but as soon as the current is cut off, the armature is released and the shutter will move away from the fitting, thus allowing the air to escape through the fitting. Apparatus of this type is disclosed, for example, in Patent No. 1,897,452 to M. Vitoux dated February 14, 1933.

According to the invention the same object is obtained in a more reasonable and simple way, and independently of the kind of current used, by mechanical means. Thus, when the current is cut off, the arm of the starting rheostat jumps back under the action of the powerful spring l2, engaging flange I! and pressing down the spring [3 which carries shutter I l. The shutter thus moves away from the fitting l5, allowing the air to escape through the fitting with the result that the piston in the looping tool handle stops instantaneously even though the machine may continue to run for a while.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and want to secure by Letters Patent is:

V 1. A machine for operating relooping tools, comprising in combination, a pneumatically operated relooping tool, a base containing an air pump, an air pipe connecting said pump with said tool, a rod connected with the piston of said pump, a pulley mounted on said base and reciprocating said rod, an electric motor for rotating said pulley, a startin rheostat controlling said motor, a movable lever arm regulating said rheostat, a shutter adapted to cover a duct leading from said chamber to the outside air, a blade spring carrying said shutter, said lever arm influencing the position of said blade spring.

2. A machine for operating relooping tools, comprising in combination, a pneumatically operated relooping tool, a base containing an air pump, an air pipe connecting said pump with said tool, a rod connected with the piston of said pump, a pulley mounted on said base and re- 10 ciprocating said rod, an electric motor for rotating said pulley, a starting rheostat controlling said motor, a movable lever arm regulating said rheostat, a shutter adapted to cover a duct leading from said chamber to the outside air, a blade 15 spring carrying said shutter, said blade spring being provided with an inclined extension at its free end projecting laterally downwardly for cooperation with the said lever arm.

AAGE ANDREAS JUUL SCHOU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are,of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,897,452 Vitoux Feb. 14, 1933 2,186,603 Gostkowski Jan. 9, 1940 

